The Industrial and Systems Engineering Department offers multiple masters programs to meet the educational needs for many people. Each of the programs are designed with significant flexibility that allows students to design personalized programs to meet their individual needs. Please use the resources below to learn more about our programs and the application process.
Program Information
We briefly describe our masters programs below. For additional details, please click here.
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (Masters of Science)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research provides engineering graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in their field of interest while meeting the industrial engineering needs of industry, business, health, and government. Graduates will be motivated to continue learning throughout their career, and gain the knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to society. Students graduating from the program will have great knowledge of, and practice in using, a multitude of tools used throughout industrial engineering and operations research.
Students seeking to enroll in the program should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or business. Students should be competent in basic math (calculus, probability/statistics, and linear algebra). A candidate lacking certain background may be advised to take background courses.
Each student is required to take 12-credit hours of graduate coursework in the area of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, as well as supplement this knowledge with additional broader knowledge obtained by taking 9 additional credit hours of coursework in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). The student rounds out their degree by taking 9 additional credit hours of relevant coursework from any department at Lehigh University. All coursework must be approved by our MS Program Director. The above total of 30-credit hours of coursework may include project-based courses as well as a masters thesis, although these are optional.
Optimization (Masters of Science)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Optimization is primarily designed to meet the goals and interests of students whose professional plans include research in an educational, governmental, or industrial environment. Students graduating from the program will have a solid understanding of how to design, analyze, implement, and use optimization algorithms for solving problems arising throughout engineering and data science.
Students seeking to enroll in the program should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or business. Students should be quantitatively oriented and be competent in basic math (calculus, probability/statistics, and linear algebra). A candidate lacking certain background may be advised to take background courses.
Each student is required to take 12 credit hours of graduate coursework in the area of Optimization, as well as supplement this specific knowledge with broader knowledge obtained by taking 9 additional credit hours of coursework in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). The student rounds out their degree by taking 9 additional credit hours of relevant coursework from any department at Lehigh University. All coursework must be approved by our MS Program Director. The above total of 30-credit hours of coursework may include project-based courses as well as a masters thesis, although these are optional.
Health Systems Engineering (Masters of Science)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Health Systems Engineering (HSE) produces graduates with strong fundamental skills in industrial and systems engineering and a strong background in health systems and processes. Graduates will be ideally positioned for skilled professional management roles aimed at improving quality, streamlining processes and improving efficiency in health systems. This degree program is designed to prepare graduate students for engineering and management careers in firms engaged in delivering health-related products and services.
Students seeking to enroll in the program should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or business. Students should be competent in basic math (calculus, probability/statistics, and linear algebra). A candidate lacking certain background may be advised to take background courses.
Each student is required to take 9-credit hours of graduate coursework in the area of health and an additional 9-credit hours of graduate coursework in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). The student rounds out their degree by taking 6 additional credit hours of relevant coursework from the College of Engineering and 6 additional credits hours of relevant coursework from any department at Lehigh University. All coursework must be approved by our MS Program Director. The above total of 30 credit hours of coursework may include project-based courses as well as a masters thesis, although these are optional.
Financial Engineering (Masters of Science)
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Financial Engineering program is a cutting-edge program that provides a strong education in advanced finance and quantitative financial analysis tools using concepts from financial theory, applied mathematics, and engineering. With these building blocks, graduates become instrumental in the creation of innovative solutions for real financial problems, using state-of-the-art analytical techniques and computing technology.
This is a joint program between ISE, the Department of Mathematics, and the College of Business. For additional details on this program, please visit the M.S. in Financial Engineering Program website.
The following is a list of the minimum requirements for admission into our master programs.
- A bachelor's degree in a related field or a degree in technology at a recognized college, university or technical institution.
- GRE scores are not required.
- The English proficiency requirement may be found on the Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate admissions page.
- A GPA of at least 2.75 out of a 4.0 scale or earn a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a minimum of 12 hours of graduate work at other institutions. Exceptions to this GPA requirement are possible when offset by extensive work experience or other exceptional contributions.
- An unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded during the application process. If you are offered admission and accept the offer, only then is a final official transcript required to complete your file. All transcripts should be converted to the USA 4.0 grading scale, if possible.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from qualified individuals to evaluate the applicant's academic achievement and potential for graduate studies.
Our programs can be completed both in-person and remote/online.
The duration is also flexible. Most full-time students complete the program in 12 months (Summer-Fall-Spring), or in 18 months (Fall-Spring-Fall) to allow for a Summer internship. Most part-time students complete the program over a longer time horizon, especially while working at the same time.
We encourage you to register for one of our informational webinars to learn about our master's programs. Multiple sessions are organized throughout the year. Registration for these events is required.
Fellowships
The Lawrence E. White Fellowship is made available through the generosity of Lehigh and department alumnus, Lawrence E. White (1964, 1965, 1969). The fellowship covers full tuition toward 30 credits of master's degree study (no stipend is provided) in any of the masters degrees offered by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. For more information, please click here.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are offered to students. Every applicant will automatically be considered for these scholarships.
Internships
Internships are provided through the industrial contacts of the faculty of the Lehigh ISE Department as well as through our companion Enterprise Systems Center (ESC) (located on the 2nd floor of our Mohler Lab building). In particular, the ESC provides a professional platform for industrial projects and a vast network of enterprise opportunities. See also our Lehigh ISE Industrial Liaison Program and a list of our client-driven ISE UG Senior Capstone projects in the last 10 years.
Grading
Many fall and spring semesters, there are a small number of grader positions available. These paid positions are advertised to our current masters students via email.
Application Process
Spring
Application Opens: September 1 (of the previous year)
Application Deadline: December 1 (of the previous year)
Fall
Application Opens: September 1 (of the previous year)
Application Deadline: July 15
To get started, simply click the button "Apply Now!" at the top of this page and create an account.
All applicants must submit the following before the application will be reviewed:
- Graduate Program Application (electronic) for the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department (ISE) - filled out completely.
- Application fee of $50.
- Two letters of recommendation, supplied in an electronic version using the online application system.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended - should be uploaded to the portal. Official final transcripts are required only after being offered admission and accepting the offer.
- The English proficiency requirement may be found on the Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate admissions page.
- Resume - list your education and employment history, as well as any professional achievements. Be sure to include university names, company names, positions held, and degrees earned (along with associated GPAs).
- Essay - on a separate sheet, provide a summary of your career objectives and work experience with reference to the chosen field of graduate study.
An English proficiency requirement must also be satisfied before a student is admitted to the program. For details on this university requirement, please visit the Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate admissions page.
To find general information on various graduate admission aspects such as the English proficiency requirement, Lehigh's policy on equity, housing options, and topics relevant to international students in particular, please click here.
Graduate Coordinator
Name: Joyce Gabay
Email: jlg222@lehigh.edu
Phone: (610) 758-4050
Mailing Address
Lehigh University
Industrial and Systems Engineering Department
Attn: Ms. Joyce Gabay
Mohler Lab, Room 421
200 W. Packer Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18015-1518
